The death toll continues to rise in Oklahoma after a powerful tornado wiped out homes, schools and other buildings. The preliminary rating of damage created by the 2-mile-wide twister is at least EF4, which indicates it had wind speeds between 166 and 200 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Anderson cooper looks at how the natural disaster and tragic aftermath unfolded.

soundoff(5 Responses)

chris

i have the same question to Governor Mary Fallin,

It is very said news from Oklahoma, and today the whole country is thinking
about victims. We where watching your interview on NBC.
What struck me from that program was a information about tornado shelters.
There is no need for even one child to die at school.
Many people are asking today WHY it has to be that way?

It looks like there are only two options for kids who live in "tornado ally".
First one – sorry NO Shelter for you,
Second – wait a decade or two and you can get one of those shelter for $1.4 Mil. a pop.

May 21, 2013 at 11:53 pm |

chris

Here is one option to consider and it might be almost Free.

Tomorrow, each school without a shelter should get few old 40 Ft Storage Containers.
Put them next to school, weld them together, add some reinforce concrete, add some 45deg concrete
or metal awnings, etc.

This will be way better then hallway or restrum with blow off roof and falling walls.
Plus this will be on ground level so no one will drown in a basement.
And on the lighter note, kids during art class can make their own graffiti with school colors.

What is a price about $2000/container on ebay.

but I bet that if Oklahoma Governor asks there will be long line of companies
willing to give those for free.

May 21, 2013 at 11:54 pm |

Rex Craig

PERHAPS YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTION?

Today's tragic Moore school deaths brings to mind a serious question! Why in the world would anyone in "tornado country" spend countless thousands building any school, college, church, casino, or any public place without including a safe place, room or shelter? A school or casino hallway in not a shelter! A bathroom is not a safe room! A freezer is not a safe place!

We should demand all future... construction include such a safe room and....every school in the state of Oklahoma (within the next 6 months) be retrofitted with a safe room large enough to handle it's students. Lets take the state tax they want to eliminate and keep it long enough to pay for these retrofits.

Its not brain surgery! Bury a 55 ft container in the ground with a few vent holes in the top. And, lets not forget those enormous concrete bunkers used in Europe during WWII.
They do not have to be beautiful....just effective! "form follows function!"

Rex in Oklahoma

May 21, 2013 at 7:45 pm |

Paula

Amen. I just told my husband same thing..We learned from our Lt Governor today kids drowned in school basements..Arkansaw has a law requiring safe room or shelters at every school. WHY DO WE IN TORNADO ALLEY NOT HAVE SAME LAW.

May 21, 2013 at 8:57 pm |

mary chee-a-tow (from guyana)

my condolences to usa on this tragedy, our prayers are with you guys, let us all come together in soldarity and help our brothers and sisters through their time of mourning. may heavenly father help and guide them through their search for survivors.